Alright, creative minds and freelance designers, let's wrap up the latest juice from our Community Chat. This week we hit a gold mine discussing Studio Ghibli's unique charm and their cold shoulder towards AI. It's not just about animation; it's about what tickles the creative bone in all of us. Key Takeaways: Embrace Your Uniqueness: Your personal touch is what sets you apart in a sea of AI-generated perfection. Don't shy away from those idiosyncrasies in your work. Quality Over Quantity: In the rush to deliver, don't lose sight of what matters – the heart and soul poured into each projec ..read more

Alright, fellow freelance designers and creative minds, let's dive into a discussion that's as real as it gets in our world – the curious case of designers over 40. Have you ever wondered where they all vanish to? It's like there's this mystery zone where seasoned designers seem to disappear. But hey, let's get real. They're not hiding under a pile of outdated MacBooks or fading into the backdrop of design history. They're very much here, bringing a wealth of experience and creative firepower that's just too good to ignore. Key Takeaways: Experience is Gold: Being over 40 in the design indus ..read more

In this episode, we dove deep into the art of handling conflict, the double-edged sword of our digital lives, and how the younger crowd is managing (or struggling) to debate and disagree without losing their cool. It was a real eye-opener on how navigating our professional and personal worlds is changing, especially with technology gripping us tighter every day. Takeaways & Highlights: Conflict Isn't Always the Enemy: Turns out, a bit of conflict isn't the worst thing. It can actually push us to do better, think harder, and come out stronger on the other side. It's all about keeping it ..read more

Navigating Career Challenges with Strategic Moves Welcome back, everyone, to our cherished community discussions, where we dive deep into the real talk about careers, the hustle for work, and making those pivotal moves that define our paths. Today's chat revolved around a truth many of us face: the ongoing struggle to secure work and how to navigate these challenges with savvy and strategy. We explored the reality that for most of us, being in high demand is more the exception than the rule. The conversation highlighted a strategic approach to career growth that involves leveraging unique adva ..read more

Unlocking the Hidden Opportunities in Career Transitions Hey there, welcome back to our community discussions where we dive into the real stuff that keeps us up at night, especially about work, creativity, and making those big career moves. Today, we’re unpacking an essential truth many of us face but rarely talk about openly: the constant hustle for work and the golden opportunities hidden in career transitions. Highlights & Takeaways: Lateral Moves Can Be Your Secret Weapon: Stepping into different roles or industries, especially ones that give you a unique edge, can significantly boos ..read more

Diving Deep into Authentic Podcast Chats: What Makes Them Tick? Hey there! So, we recently had this super engaging chat on our podcast, where Laneen dropped by (as she always does with her awesome questions). It turned into this deep dive into why keeping things real and asking the nitty-gritty questions make for some seriously engaging podcast episodes. Plus, we got into this fascinating story about Phil Aston and his YouTube channel, Now Spinning Magazine. Phil's journey is all about sticking to what he loves, music, and not sweating the small stuff like editing or SEO tricks. It's a revelat ..read more

Hey, folks! Just had an amazing chat with Liz Mosley, a small-business branding guru, podcast host, and an Adobe Express ambassador. She's all about supporting small businesses with their branding and marketing, and she shared some gold nuggets on embracing rejection, making branding understandable, and the ins and outs of creating engaging content on social media. Rejection Challenge: Liz shared her personal journey with the rejection challenge, which, honestly, was an eye-opener. It's all about facing the fear of rejection head-on and realising it's not as bad as we imagine. Liz's experien ..read more

Finding Joy Amid the Social Media Chaos: A Creative's Guide to Navigating Online Overload In this deep-dive conversation, we tackle the all-too-familiar struggle of finding joy in the digital age, especially for us creatives navigating the noisy realm of social media. From the relentless bombardment of marketing to the quest for genuine connections, we explore how to sift through the clutter, prioritise our happiness, and reclaim our online spaces. Join us as we share insights and strategies for maintaining creativity and joy amidst the chaos, fostering meaningful interactions, and discovering ..read more

Hey everyone, just wrapped up a super engaging chat with James about the ins and outs of the design world. We dove deep into topics like why keeping secrets about pay isn't cool, how the design scene's been changing, the real headache of figuring out what to charge for your work, and the big question mark that is AI and tech shaking things up. James shared some real talk about the importance of sharing the wealth (of knowledge, that is) and staying nimble in this fast-paced industry. No More Secret Handshakes: James really isn't into the whole "hush-hush" vibe around how much designers are g ..read more

Unlocking Success as a Freelance Designer: Strategies for Growth, Client Management, and Navigating Social Media This episode is a treasure trove for freelance designers navigating the ever-evolving landscape of creativity, client relationships, and the digital marketplace. We explore firsthand experiences with challenging client scenarios, the significance of direct and constructive feedback, and practical tips for managing work-life balance. The conversation also dives into effective strategies for leveraging social media without succumbing to burnout, emphasising the importance of building ..read more